Mobile unit for a portable vacuum system

ABSTRACT

A mobile unit, such as a cart, for transporting a portable vacuum system is disclosed. The cart may have one or more compartments and areas for storing cleaning supplies and the like. The unit may also have a debris containment compartment for receiving and storing debris collected by the portable vacuum system. Additionally, a battery charging circuit may connect one or more batteries carried on the cart for selectively charging the batteries.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is claiming benefit, under 35 USC § 119(e), of the provisional application filed on Jul. 10, 2003, under 35 USC § 111(b), which was granted Ser. No. 60/486,207, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile unit, such as a cart, for a portable vacuum system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable vacuum systems, such as backpack mounted vacuum systems, are well known to those skilled in the art. These vacuum systems are often used in conjunction with other cleaning, such as glass and surface cleaning and dusting, frequently performed in office buildings and the like.

The desirability to have a lightweight, unencumbered vacuum system requires that support equipment for the vacuum system and other cleaning supplies be carried on separate structure. Those skilled in the art are familiar with various carts used to carry a wide variety of cleaning supplies. The prior art does not provide, however, for a cart that can support the vacuum system along with other cleaning supplies, or even the vacuum system by itself.

Therefore, in light of the disadvantages of the prior art, it would be advantageous to have a portable cart that can support the portable vacuum system. It would also be advantageous to have a portable cart that can support not only the vacuum system, but other cleaning supplies for other cleaning duties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a mobile unit for a portable vacuum system, such as a cart. The cart has a plurality of wheels so that it can be easily moved from one location to another. In one embodiment, at least one debris containment compartment is located in the cart for receiving debris collected from the vacuum system. A docking station is part of the cart and functions to selectively secure the portable vacuum system thereto. The docking station is connected to the debris containment compartment so that debris can be dropped into the compartment from the portable vacuum system.

In certain environments, such as, for example hospitals, emptying the collected debris into an open trash can or other receptacle is not acceptable due to the amount of dirt and dust generated. The present invention reduces, or prevents, debris from escaping from the portable vacuum system to a waste receptacle.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a cart is provided with wheels for mobility and a station for a portable vacuum system. Additionally, a plurality of battery docking stations are located on the cart. At least one battery charging circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of battery docking stations for selectively charging the batteries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic of a battery charging circuit of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of the invention depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a portable vacuum system used with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom, schematic view of the portable vacuum system of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The present invention is a mobile unit, such as a cart 10, adapted to be used with, or support, at least one portable vacuum system. The portable vacuum system may be such as a backpack mounted vacuum cleaner system 12.

In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the cart 10 is provided having a main body portion 14. Wheels 16 are attached to the base of the main body portion 14. The wheels 16 may be, for example, caster type wheels that allow the cart 10 to easily change direction with a minimum turning radius.

The wheels 16 allow the cart 10 to be moved from location to location by manual or automated means. The automated means may be such as an electric motor, however, other automated means may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A hand rail 18 is located on the main body portion 14. The rail 18 can be grasped by an operator if manual means are used to move and direct the cart 10.

Preferably, the cart 10 can carry the at least one backpack mounted vacuum cleaner system 12. The cart 10 permits an operator to move the backpack mounted vacuum cleaner system 12 to an area to be cleaned without the operator having to carry the backpack system 12. The backpack system 12 can be located anywhere on the cart 10. In a preferred embodiment, the backpack system 12 is located on a shelf 20 extending forward from a lower portion 22 of the main body portion 14.

The shelf 20 may be fixed or be capable of moving from the main body portion 14 for easy access to the backpack system 12. Means to removeably secure the backpack system 12 to the shelf 20 can be included.

In a preferred embodiment, an upper portion 24 of the main body portion 14 is adapted to receive one or more rechargeable power sources. The power sources are rechargeable batteries 26 known to those skilled in the art.

The batteries 26 can be used with the backpack system 12 to supply electric power to a vacuum motor therein (not shown). In one embodiment of the backpack system 12, the batteries 26 are designed to have at least one concave surface 28 for conforming to the hip area of a system operator.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a battery charging circuitry 30 for a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, where separate batteries can be charged in eight battery docking stations B1-B8, at any given time. However, it should be appreciated that the number of batteries that can be charged at any given time, by the present invention, does not limit the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, incoming power PS, for example, 120VAC or 240VAC, 60 Hz, is supplied to each of four charging circuits C1-C4, which convert the incoming high voltage into a lower output voltage, for example, 12VDC or 24VDC, that recharges the respective battery in its docking station B1-B8. In an alternative embodiment, the incoming power PS may be from a battery located on or off the cart 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention. The incoming power PS is also supplied to a logic circuit G1, which passes the output voltage from the charging circuits C1-C4 onto the respective battery, monitors various properties of the respective batteries (for example, battery temperature and voltage rate of charging), and lights the respective LEDs L1-L8 so as to indicate to the user of the present invention that the respective battery is still in need of charging.

Note that the voltage rate of charging, which the logic circuit G1 determines for each battery in its docking station B1-B8, that is being charged, is a measure of the completeness of the charging for that specific battery. When the logic circuit G1 determines that a particular battery is charged completely, then the logic circuit G1 no longer supplies voltage to that particular battery. It should be further appreciated that the present invention can utilize other battery charging circuits and remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a plurality of battery charging receptacles 32 within the upper portion 24 of the main body portion 14 have a complementary shape to the batteries 26. Individual batteries 26 can be removeably located within the individual receptacles 32 for storage, transport, or re-charge. The receptacles 32 and the batteries 26 may be arranged and located on the upper portion 24 or in any other location or orientation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 3. A cart 34 in FIG. 3 has a main body portion 36 having a plurality of wheels 38 attached to its base 40. The wheels 38 may be such as, for example, caster type wheels for the same advantages described above.

The cart 34 may be moved by manual or automated means, also as described above. If manual means are used to move the cart 34, a hand rail 42 is provided.

The cart 34 has several compartments 44 for carrying and/or mounting various cleaning supplies known to those skilled in the art. These compartments 44 may be for transporting various attachments for the backpack mounted vacuum system 12. As best seen in FIG. 4, one compartment includes a dust receiving bin 46 into which debris collected by the backpack mounted vacuum system 12 can be emptied.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the backpack system 12 preferably has a containment area 48 for collected debris. The base 50 of the containment area 48 has a slidable, or hinged, door 52, as schematically depicted in FIG. 6. The debris in the containment area 48 may be removed by sliding, or swinging, the door 52 open and allowing the debris therein to fall out.

The backpack system 12 is located in or on a docking area 54 on the cart 34, as best seen in FIG. 3. The docking area 54 preferably has a complementary shape, size and design to the base of the containment area 48 of the backpack system 12. Also, the docking area 54 is preferably located on a top portion 56 of the cart 34 so that the backpack system 12 can be easily located thereon by the operator. In a most preferred embodiment, the docking area 54 opens toward a first side 58 of the cart 34 to facilitate locating and removing the backpack system 12 therefrom. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the docking area 54 can be designed to open from either side of the cart 34.

The docking area 54 has a door 60 which attaches to the slidable, or hinged, door 52 of the backpack system 12. Preferably, the docking area door 60 has a complementary shape to at least part of the door 54 of the backpack system 54. The docking area door 60 complementary shape engages with the backpack door 54 when the backpack system 12 is set on the cart 34. The docking area door 60 can be pulled outwardly from the cart 34, thus simultaneously sliding, or otherwise releasing, the slidable door 52 of the backpack system 12 (see FIG. 6) from the containment area 48 and allowing the debris to fall into an interior portion 62 of the dust receiving bin 46.

The backpack system 12 seals against the cart 34 to prevent any dust or debris from escaping during the above described transfer step. A least one seal 64 may be located in or on the periphery of the docking area door 60 to seal with the backpack system 12 and reduce, or prevent, dust from escaping.

When the containment area 48 of the backpack system 12 is empty (see FIG. 5), the docking area door 60 can be slid back into position, thus simultaneously sliding, or otherwise closing, the backpack door 52 into the containment area 48 of the backpack system 12. The backpack system 12 can then be removed from the cart 34 for continued operation or left on the cart 34 for transport.

Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 7, wherein a cart 66 mounted on a plurality of wheels 68 is schematically depicted. The cart 66 has a main body portion 70 with a hand rail 72 connected to the main body portion 70 for enabling an operator to easily move the cart 66 by manual means. A plurality of compartments 74 for carrying and/or mounting various cleaning supplies known to those skilled in the art is provided around the cart 66. At least one compartment 74 comprises a debris containment compartment 76 into which debris collected by the backpack mounted vacuum system 12, described above, can be emptied.

The cart 66 has at least one portable vacuum system docking station 78, as described above, connected to the debris containment compartment 76. A seal 80 may be located about the docking station 78 to provide an air tight seal between the backpack system (not shown in FIG. 7) and the docking station 78. A slidable, or hinged, docking station door 82, as described above, provides selective access to an interior portion 84 of the debris containment compartment 76. The debris containment compartment 76 is selectively removable from the cart 66 for emptying and/or maintenance.

A plurality of battery charging receptacles 86 are located on the cart 66. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the receptacles 86 are vertically aligned on a side portion 88 of the cart 66 adjacent the debris containment compartment 76. Rechargeable batteries 90 are selectively located in the individual receptacles 86 for storage, transport and/or charging.

A battery recharging circuit, or circuitry 30, as described above, electrically connects the batteries 90 within the receptacles 86 to a logic circuit G1 (FIG. 2) and a power source PS (FIG. 2). The above discussion relating to the battery charging circuitry 30 of FIG. 2, as it applies to the embodiment of FIG. 1, also applies to the embodiment of FIG. 7.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. 

1. A mobile unit for a portable vacuum system, comprising: a cart having a plurality of wheels to enable the cart to be moved; at least one debris containment compartment in said cart; and at least one portable vacuum system docking station on said cart; wherein said at least one debris containment compartment and said at least one portable vacuum system docking station are connected to each other.
 2. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said cart has a plurality of storage bins for selectively receiving cleaning supplies.
 3. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said cart has at least one handle, said handle can be manually grasped for moving said cart on said plurality of wheels.
 4. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said docking station has a slidable door.
 5. The mobile unit of claim 4, wherein said docking station door provides access to an interior portion of said debris containment compartment.
 6. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said docking station opens toward one side of the top portion of said cart.
 7. The mobile unit of claim 4, wherein said slidable door has at least one handle to manually pull and to push said slidable door open and closed, respectively.
 8. The mobile unit of claim 1, wherein said debris containment compartment of said cart is selectively removable from a side of said cart.
 9. A mobile unit for a portable vacuum system, comprising: a cart having a plurality of wheels to enable the cart to be moved; a plurality of battery charging receptacles located on said cart; at least one battery charging circuit electrically connected to said plurality of battery charging receptacles; and at least one portable vacuum system station on said cart.
 10. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said battery charging circuit comprises at least one charging circuit, a logic circuit, and said plurality of battery charging receptacles, wherein said charging circuit provides a battery recharging voltage to said logic circuit, which provides a recharging voltage to one or more batteries located in said battery charging receptacles until said logic circuit determines that said one or more batteries is fully charged.
 11. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said plurality of battery charging receptacles are located on a top portion of said cart.
 12. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said plurality of battery charging receptacles are complementary shaped recesses to the shape of said one or more batteries.
 13. The mobile unit of claim 9, wherein said at least one portable vacuum station is a shelf located on a lower, open portion of said cart.
 14. A mobile unit for a portable vacuum system, comprising: a cart having a plurality of wheels to enable said cart to be moved; at least one debris containment compartment in said cart; a plurality of battery charging receptacles on said cart; and at least one battery charging circuit electrically connected to said plurality of battery charging receptacles.
 15. The mobile unit of claim 14, wherein said cart has at least one portable vacuum system docking station connected to said at least one debris containment compartment.
 16. The mobile unit of claim 14, wherein said battery charging circuit comprises at least one charging circuit, a logic circuit, and said plurality of battery charging receptacles, wherein said charging circuit provides a battery recharging voltage to said logic circuit, which provides a recharging voltage to one or more batteries located in said battery charging receptacles until said logic circuit determines that said one or more batteries is fully charged.
 17. The mobile unit of claim 15, wherein said portable vacuum system docking station has at least one door for providing selective access to an interior portion of said debris containment compartment.
 18. The mobile unit of claim 14, wherein said plurality of battery charging receptacles are vertically aligned on a side portion of said cart adjacent said debris containment compartment.
 19. The mobile unit of claim 16, wherein said batteries are selectively removable from said battery charging receptacles.
 20. The mobile unit of claims 14, wherein said debris containment compartment is selectively removable from said cart. 